Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) knocks down Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during 2nd Half of a game at Ford Field. Bears won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions fans inclined to tune in to watch the Pro Bowl had little reason to watch as of a week ago.

Calvin Johnson was named a starter but decided not to participate and while the Lions were still set to be represented when Don Muhlbach was named to the team, it is unlikely any Lions fans were welling with excitement to see him play one more time this season.

Now that Super Bowl participants have been removed from the roster, the Lions will have one more representative: Ndamukong Suh. He replaces San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith.

Suh was named a Pro Bowler following his stellar rookie season but he did not participate so that he could have shoulder surgery and get a jump on his recovery.

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach (48) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

News broke earlier in the day that Calvin Johnson would not be playing in this year’s Pro Bowl. Vincent Jackson took his spot on the roster leaving the Lions without representation the field when the Pro Bowl is played later this month.

That situation has changed in just a matter of hours with one Lion having been added to the roster.

Drum roll please…

Long snapper Don Muhlbach!

Muhlbach has been with the Lions since 2004 and he becomes the first Lions to be named an NFC Pro Bowler as a specialist that wasn’t a kicker, punter or return man.

Muhlbach could eventually be joined by Ndamukong Suh and/or Matthew Stafford as both have been named alternates. Robert Griffin III has already been replaced by Drew Brees while Aaron Rodgers was replaced by Eli Manning today. Matt Ryan would be replaced on the NFC roster if the Falcons advance to the Super Bowl. Justin Smith is the only possible Super Bowl replacement that might pave the way to Suh’s inclusion on the team.

Dec 9, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

If any Detroit Lions fans had found reason to watch the Pro Bowl, that may now be gone:

Great news: Vincent Jackson has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster! He’s replacing Calvin Johnson, who is unable to play due to injury.

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) January 15, 2013

Calvin Johnson had been named a starter to the Pro Bowl but will not play. He was routinely listed on the injury report during the season but did not miss a game.

As it stands now the Lions will not be represented in the game. Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh were named alternates but neither has been named to the team as of today. They may get a chance when Super Bowl participants are replaced on the roster.

Vincent Jackson is now a three-time Pro Bowler, having set career-highs for receptions and receiving yards. He joins his Bucs teammate Gerald McCoy on the NFC roster.